Supply Chain
President Lee returns from India, Vietnam trip focused on economic ties
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President Lee Jae-myung returned home on April 24 after a six-day trip to India and Vietnam. He focused on expanding cooperation in energy and supply chains amid Middle East uncertainties during summits with the countries' leaders. Agreements aimed at doubling trade volumes and deepening strategic ties were reached.
Designated trash bags are running low in parts of Japan. Reports of a naphtha shortage have prompted some residents to hoard the bags required for waste disposal in certain areas.
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Apple is grappling with supply constraints affecting several Mac models, including the Mac mini and Mac Studio, as demand rises and component shortages persist. CEO Tim Cook highlighted the issue during the company's recent earnings call, noting limited flexibility in the supply chain and higher RAM costs. Shipping delays have lengthened for some configurations while others remain stable.
Tapestry, parent company of Coach and Kate Spade, has signed a 10-year partnership with Swiss startup Climeworks to offset its Scope 1 emissions. The move comes amid US political backlash against ESG initiatives. Logan Duran, Tapestry's global head of ESG and sustainability, emphasized the need for long-term carbon removal solutions.
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US and Israeli forces struck Iran on February 28, prompting Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to declare the Strait of Hormuz unsafe for commercial passage. Vessel traffic fell by roughly 70% within hours. The closure compounds pressures on fashion supply chains already strained by Red Sea disruptions, tariffs, and rising freight costs.
A report by UK consultancy WTW identifies ongoing tariff wars and dependence on China as two top emerging risks for the global defence sector. It warns that the defence sector's reliance on Chinese materials and components, particularly rare earths and electronics, presents significant supply chain vulnerability amid geopolitical risks. The findings are based on interviews with five industry executives from Australia, Europe, and North America.
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Following China's January 6 ban on dual-use exports to Japan—retaliation for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's Taiwan remarks—South Korea's industries face risks from interconnected supply chains. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources held an emergency meeting on January 8 to evaluate impacts and pledged safeguards against shortages.
Apple in talks with Samsung and Intel amid chip shortages
April 29, 2026 18:39China leads global reserves in 14 minerals and output in 17
April 27, 2026 19:22IperionX CEO outlines titanium supply chain opportunities in shareholder call
April 21, 2026 14:59Lee Jae Myung set for summit with Vietnam's To Lam on economic ties
April 20, 2026 21:58Lee Jae-myung and Modi agree on trade expansion and supply chain cooperation
March 06, 2026 13:45Vietnam's coffee crisis threatens global prices
February 06, 2026 02:03US defends new minerals alliance, rejecting claims it targets China
February 04, 2026 05:20U.S., Japan and EU to develop critical minerals action plan
February 03, 2026 05:35Chinese parts dependency challenges Tesla Optimus production costs
February 02, 2026 16:33South Korea and US top diplomats to hold talks amid Trump's tariff threat